On a Very Special Episode

The 80s. That's the world Wanda's crafted today. Not my first choice, but I'll make it work. After all, I'm Agatha Harkness. I can make anything work.

I stretch my arms, feeling the stiff fabric of my shoulder-padded blouse tug against me. I glance at my reflection—curly perm, bold makeup, and bright neon. I roll my eyes. If I didn't know better, I'd say she's trying to distract herself with these illusions. It's almost cute.

I pour myself a cup of coffee—black, no sugar, just how I like it—and sit at my small table with a notepad. I go over what I discovered on my dream walking journey yesterday: it's very obvious that this universe is the only one in which Wanda has created her children using magic. True spontaneous creation—the rarest form of magic. The only one possible to do that…

With a flick of my wrist, the Darkhold materializes in my hand, summoned from the shadows. I flip through the pages until I find what I'm looking for: The Scarlet Witch.

Tracing the words with my finger, I murmur them out loud: "The Scarlet Witch is not born, she is forged. She has no coven, no need for incantation. Your power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme. It's your destiny to destroy the world."

"No…" The word slips from my lips before I can catch it. If Wanda truly is the Scarlet Witch, then it means she won't just destroy everything around her—she'll destroy herself too.

I snap the book shut and lean back in the chair, taking a moment to let it all sink in. I can't lose her after I have finally found her again. There's only one thing I can do to protect my daughter from herself, and it's the last thing I want to do. I have to steal her powers so she can no longer become the Scarlet Witch. But before I do this, I need to know how and why I lost my Wanda. What happened to her, to her memories, to her brother.

I scoff and a sarcastic laugh escapes my lips. Agatha Harkness, the infamous witch who steals other witches' powers, feeling sorry for what she has to do next. How the tables have turned.

For now, I need to see if I can weaken Wanda's control over the hex, even just a little. If I can cause a small crack in her grip, it might trigger some of her buried memories. The key to figuring out what happened to her lies in those lost moments. And if I can bring them to the surface, maybe I can stop her from slipping further into the Scarlet Witch's destiny.

Sitting up straight I jot down my next moves: figure out what Geraldine's presence did to rattle Wanda, try to break her control and, most importantly, understand how Vision is walking around like a fully functioning… something.

But first, I need to survive another day in this ridiculous sitcom.

As I make my way toward the Vision residence, the sound of crying babies reaches me, cutting through the stillness of the morning. I go to their door but before I ring the bell I wait a moment and listen to what's going on inside.

"What are we doing wrong?" Wanda's voice is tired and desperate and my heart goes out to her.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. We'll figure it out. Perhaps we all need more time to get to know one another." Vision, the everlasting optimist.

"Maybe. Or maybe we just need some help."

Aha, that's my cue! I ring the bell and open the door.

"Hiya, kids!" I say in my enthusiastic Agnes voice.

"Oh, Agnes!" Wanda seems absolutely relieved to see me and I can't help but feel warmth in my heart seeing that. I have to remind myself that it's not the real me she's happy to see and it takes some practice to keep the smile plastered on my face.

Immediately my attention get's drawn to the two cribs that are standing in the middle of the living room with the two crying babies inside of it.

"Agnes, I was just fluffing this pillow. With my face." Vision explained with his face behind said pillow. As if I did not know he just changed from his robotic face to his human one.

I throw the bag I was carrying on their couch. "Oh, I was just on my way to Jazzercize when I heard your new little bundles of joy were on a sleep strike."

Putting my hands on my hips I make a disapproving face.

Vision looks at me confused. "Oh? who told you that?"

I turn to face him. 'Uh, my ears!' I point at them for emphasis, matching my words with the gesture.

Wanda laughs and Vision joins her awkwardly. "Oh."

I turn back to face my foster daughter. "Anyway, Auntie Agnes is here and I've got a couple of tricks up my sleeve."

Wanda grabs my hands and relief is written all over her face. "Oh, Agnes, you're a lifesaver."

"Aw." There it is again, that damn heartwarming feeling. I really need to get myself better under control today.

"Very well. But be careful of their belly buttons and remember to support their heads, and when was the last time you washed your… Actually, you know what? It would be… Just… Maybe we better not." Vision rambles as he comes closer, worry etched all over his face. It's almost cute. Almost. But right now, it's just plain irritating.

I take a step back, deciding it's the perfect moment to try to disrupt Wanda's control—and, while I'm at it, plant a few more seeds of doubt in Vision's mind.

I place a confused look on my face as I first look at Vision and then at Wanda.

"Uhm…" I pause and take a few restless steps. "Do you want me to take that again?" I direct my question to Wanda.

Immediately a worried and slightly confused expression crosses her face. She quickly glances at Vision before turning her gaze back to me. "Uh… I'm sorry?"

"You want me to hold the babies." I say, while first pointing at myself and then at said twins. "Should we just take it from the top?"

I grab the bag I tossed on the couch and take a step back. Looking up at Wanda, I put on a face that shows unease and confusion. Every move is calculated, testing if I can crack her control just a little.

Vision lets out an awkward laugh. "What?" Wanda follows suit with a forced chuckle—unconvincing, but still a laugh.

"Oh, don't be silly. Vision, let's… let's let Agnes give it a try." She says, offering me her hand with a nervous laugh. I join in, chuckling along as if everything is perfectly fine, playing my part.

"Fussy babies, meet buns of steel." I stay while swaying my hips. "We dare you to stay awake."

I move toward the cribs, lowering myself onto one knee in a fluid motion, my body bending gracefully like a well-rehearsed exercise. I rock the twins' cribs gently, playing the part of the helpful neighbor.

"Wanda." Vision calls Wanda over and even though I pretend to not hear a word they say, of course I'm listening in to their conversation.

"What was that about?" Vision softly asks.

"What was what?"

"What was what? That, with Agnes just now."

They turn to look at me and I give them my biggest smile while rocking the crib in rhythm with the twins' cries.

"Well, I think she just got confused for a moment. She seems fine now." Wanda explains.

"But what she said, the way she looked at you."

"How did she look at me?" Wanda places her arms on her hips as she is taking on a protective stance.

"Well, I didn't… Oh." That's when I finally manage to grab his attention.

I'm bent through my knees, swaying gently from left to right as I lean closer to the cribs, rocking them softly while the twins fuss. "Lavender. It's supposed to have a calming effect." I say, giving a few quick spritz from the bottle I'm holding. It's only water, but Wanda doesn't need to know that. "Ralph sprays it on me every night. But there's no taming this tiger. What?!" I wiggle my butt to reinforce my words.

"It's so strange." Vision mumbles.

"Oh that's not fair. It's not Agnes's fault she has an unusually high libido."

Vision completely ignores her and asks: "Wanda? Did you really not see what I saw?"

Time for me to interfere once more. I open their cabinet and grab one of their fancy empty-looking bottles. With a rather loud voice I say: "Oh. Don't mind me. I'm just looking for your dark liquor."

"What?" Vision asks, looking worried.

"Not for me!" I say, looking shocked that he would even think such a thing. "For the twins! What kind of babysitter do you think I am?"

Wanda laughs as I put the empty bottle back.

"I'm just gonna go and check in there."

Wanda turns back to her husband and whispers: "Vision, the boys haven't slept in days. You and I both need a break and Agnes is just being neighborly, that's all." Her voice was really having give-me-a-break vibes.

After finding the liquor, I pour myself a drink and go sit sideways, resting my back against the cabinet. With the glass in hand I'm comfortably perched between the kitchen and dining area. From here, I watch as Wanda and Vision talk. And then, without warning, the boys decide to take matters into their own hands. Without Wanda's intervention, the boys decide to age up—right before my eyes, they go from babies to 5 year olds. I take a sip, barely containing a grin.

I watch in silence as the twins quietly crawl out of their cribs without making a sound. No fuss, no noise—just a sudden determination. They make their way to the base of the stairs, standing there as if this is exactly what they're supposed to do. I don't move, simply observing as they take control of the situation in their own way.

"Do you hear that?" Vision asks.

"Hear what?"

"Absolutely nothing."

Wanda gasps in astonishment, thinking I have achieved the impossible. "They finally fell asleep!"

They go to look at the cribs to come to the conclusion: "They're empty." Vision is the one saying it out loud.

"Then where are the twins?" Confusion and worry is written all over Wanda's face.

"Mommy?" "Daddy?" The voice of little Billy and Tommy calls out to them from the foot of the staircase.

Surprised Wanda and Vision turn around. "Huh?"

My daughter gasps when she sees the older versions of the 2 babies standing in front of them.

I sigh out loud with my drink in my hand. "Kids." A laugh leaves my lips. "Can't control 'em. No matter how hard you try." And I mean this in more way than one. I take a sip from the glass.

"Well, hi!" Wanda and Vision each pick up one of the twins and give them a big hug.

I feel lucky to have witnessed this moment. Sure, the knowledge that the twins can control their own aging is incredibly valuable, and seeing Vision begin to doubt his wife was useful. But another part of me—the part I rarely acknowledge—was simply glad to have been here with Wanda during such an important moment in her life.

I pace around the living room, mumbling theories out loud only to discard them just as fast. How did Wanda bring Vision back? His growing suspicion of her behavior makes it clear he's not in on the act, not a co-conspirator in the illusion she's spun. I'm certain he has no idea that she's holding the entire town hostage—and that makes him another victim of her magic, though I doubt she'd ever allow herself to believe that.

I'm getting more frustrated by the minute, still with no real answers. It's time to take things a bit more into my own hands. I need to know if Wanda can actually bring beings back to life. The Darkhold offers no mention of such power tied to the Scarlet Witch—not yet, anyway. And even if it did, Wanda hasn't fully become her yet.

An idea starts to take shape—an experiment to test whether Wanda's powers can truly bring back the dead. If I give the twins something they care about and then take it away, perhaps she'll feel compelled to restore it. For their sake. For her boys. A small ache tugs at my cold, black heart, but I quickly shove it aside. I mean, sure, I care about Wanda, but there's no way I'm going soft over these two little mongrels. And let's not forget—I still proudly wear the title of evil, thank you very much.

I stop and glance at my reflection in the mirror. The black trousers are simple, comfortable, and slightly loose, giving off a relaxed vibe. My white blouse is soft and loose-fitting with sleeves that are slightly puffed near the wrists. The black vest, adorned with delicate golden flowers, adds a whimsical touch to the look, its embroidery catching the light. I fit perfectly into the role of the helpful neighbor, blending into Wanda's world with ease.

"It's show time."

Invisibility spell in place, I sneak toward the Maximoff house, the little mutt wriggling and whining in my arms. I silently curse myself for not choosing a cat instead of this furball. As I approach, I spot Billy and Tommy sitting quietly on the step leading to the kitchen. Their faces are a mix of curiosity and wonder as they gaze up at the sky, trying to make out shapes in the clouds.

I set the dog down on the ground, waving my hand over its head and whispering, "Go." For a moment, its irises flash purple, and then it bolts from behind the tree where I've been hiding and runs toward the twins. Just a few meters away, it stops and starts crying, grabbing their attention instantly.

"Tommy, look! It's a puppy!" Billy calls out, walking toward the dog with his brother right behind him.

"What's it doing here?" Tommy scratches behind the dog's ears, laughing as it licks his hand.

Billy looks around, as if the owners will just appear out of thin air, much like the dog did. "He's all alone."

"Let's bring him inside and clean him up!" Tommy has already picked up the mutt in his arms.

"Mum will never allow it!" Billy shakes his head, but Tommy grins.

"Maybe we can hide him!"

Billy hesitates, but the allure of a pet wins out. Together they bring the dog inside the kitchen.

I follow just far enough to see them through the kitchen window. They're both standing on stools, filling the sink with water to wash the dog.

Now I just have to wait.

It doesn't take long before Wanda finds out what the twins are up to, and Vision follows soon after. He is in his human face, and when Wanda asks him: "Why so formal, honey?" his response is:

"Oh, it's just a precaution really. I had a hunch someone might pop over."

Oh what a perfect moment for me to make myself known, it will only make him doubt everything even more. So I open the doors and enter very flamboyantly, carrying a dog house. 

"Hi, kiddos!" I say with a happy voice.

"With exactly the item we require…" Vision adds quietly.

"My kitchen window told me someone got a new pooch." I put the dog house on the table. "Did you name him yet?"

Billy walks over to me to give me a hug and I embrace him, reaching out for Tommy before I realize what I'm doing. Fuck.

"How about Sniffy?" Billy proposes as the dog is walking around the kitchen, sniffing everything.

"Oh." I say giving Wanda a smile, because it's not really a great name.

But the dog's next sniff leads to a far less brilliant idea—it sticks its nose right near the electrical outlet. A sharp yelp escapes as a spark shocks him, and the poor mutt darts back to the boys.

"How about Sparky?" I propose.

Wanda lets out a soft laugh. "Well, should we make it official?"

She raises her left hand, and with a quick pointing motion from her right, a dog collar with a tag materializes out of thin air into her grasp.

I pretend not to see a thing. While Tommy goes to grab the collar from his mum, I quietly pick up Sparky, keeping my movements casual.

 "Wanda!" Vision whispers, his voice clearly unhappy.

She turns around to look at him with not a care in the world.

"Agnes was right there!"

Wanda turns to look at me before returning her attention to her husband. "Well she didn't notice. She didn't even notice when the boys when from babies to five-year-olds." A laugh accompanies her words.

But of course Vision is not amused. "That's not what we agreed upon. You made no effort to conceal your abilities."

Even though Wanda is standing with her back to me, I can see her body language change. She goes from amused to serious. "Well, I'm tired of hiding, Vis. And maybe you don't have to either."

"Wanda we are usually so much of the same mind. But right now…" A pause falls. "What aren't you telling me?"

It's as if the twins can also feel the building tension in the room because that's when Billy decides to speak: "So, is Sparky our dog, Daddy?"

While holding the dog I put on my best pout and Sparky whimpers as if he knows just what to do. Which he does of course but that's not the point.

Vision sighs and grunts softly, but Wanda is the one who speaks: "Boys, your father and I don't think you're ready to properly care for an animal until you're at least…"

Vision coughs "Ten".

"Ten years old."

Inside, I'm seething as I watch Wanda bend to Vision's will like this, but I can't say or do anything without blowing my cover. So, I grit my teeth and let it slide—for now.

That's when I see the twins exchange a look, and the knowing smiles spread across their faces. Oh boy, I know exactly what's coming next. Wanda and Vision seem to catch on too, both starting to say, "Wait, no, no, no!" But it's too late. Within seconds, the boys have aged themselves up again, and now 2 ten-year-olds are standing in the kitchen.

"Let's just hope this dog stays the same size." I chuckle while raising said animal. "Woof woof."

I'm sitting in my living room when a loud, disorienting sound fills the air. It takes me a moment to place it, but then it clicks: a plane, or something similar. I stand up and walk to the window, peering outside. That's when I spot Wanda and her two boys standing in front of their house, and in front of them, hovering menacingly, is a drone.

I use a spell to enhance my hearing. Geraldine voice comes out of the mechanical object: "Wanda, this is Captain Monica Rambeau. Can you hear me? I just wanna talk, that's it."

I curse under my breath. I knew Geraldine was trouble from the moment I laid eyes on her.

Wanda's eyes glow red, more powerful and beautiful than anything I've ever seen. Then, out of nowhere, a bomb launches from the drone, aimed directly at her.

"No!" I scream, instinct kicking in, but Wanda handles it before I can act.

Wanda doesn't flinch as the bomb hurtles toward her. With a flick of her wrist, the air distorts, and the bomb freezes mid-air. Red energy pulses around it, wrapping tightly. She turns to the twins, her voice firm but calm. "Go back inside, now." Once they're safely inside, she pulls the bomb closer, inspecting it before fully enclosing it entirely in her energy. Without a word, she floats into the sky, heading straight for the boundary of the hex, ready to return SWORD's little gift. 

With all the chaos unfolding, Sparky stands there, uncertain and confused. It's the perfect moment for the next part of my plan. I call the dog toward me, guiding him to my poisonous azalea bushes.

"Go on, boy," I coax, but it's Ralph, under my control, who compels the dog to eat the leaves. Sparky sniffs around, hesitating for only a second before Ralph urges him forward. It doesn't take long. His legs buckle, and within moments, Sparky collapses, lifeless at my feet.

I glance at Ralph, satisfied that he's played his part perfectly. "Now, back to the attic with you," I command, and he obediently turns away, ready to return to his hiding place.

A sharp jab of guilt shoots through me when I think of the twins' sad faces, but I push it away. Come on, Agatha, you're better than this.

I make a blanket appear out of thin air and wrap the dog in it. I hear the twins before I see them. "Sparky! Come on boy!" "Sparky! Sparky!"

When they reach my front yard I come from behind my azalea bush, holding the dog wrapped in a blanket. The twins gasp when they realize what has happened and the expression on Wanda's face nearly makes me regret what I did. But I need my answers.

"I didn't want to come until I'd wrapped him up."

Wanda walks towards me. "What happened to him?"

"I found him in my azalea bushes. Don't know how many leaves he ate. I didn't find him until it was too late." Wanda's expression is pure desperation.

I turn towards the twins who have pain written all over their face. "Tommy, Billy, I'm so sorry."

They begin to cry softly, their eyes meeting with that familiar look of determination. I've seen this before, and so has Wanda. "Wait. Don't. Don't," she says, her voice filled with urgency, trying to stop them before they do what she already knows is coming.

 "Don't what?!" Tommy asks.

Wanda places a hand on each of their shoulder. "Don't age yourselves up. The urge to run from this feeling is powerful. I know." She gently strokes Tommy's cheek, trying to soothe him, her eyes full of understanding. Because it's so clear that she truly understands. Wanda has felt this before, the overwhelming urge to escape the pain, the need to push it all away.

"It's too sad." Billy says.

Tommy joins his brother: "You can fix anything, Mom. Fix the dead."

I perk up, excitement bubbling inside me. This is exactly what I've been waiting for—finally, we're exactly where I want to be.

But Wanda sounds taking back. "What?" She looks at her boys. "No."

"You can do that?" I ask, sounding like I'm in awe.

Wanda looks at me for a moment before turning her attention back to her children. But in that moment I could see heartbreak all over her face. She cannot.

"I am trying to tell you that there are rules in life, okay? We can't rush aging just because it's convenient." She lets out a chuckle and I nod quietly. "And we can't reverse death. No matter how sad it makes us. Okay? Some things are forever." 

I sigh and pretend like I'm fighting against the tears.

"You said family is forever." Billy says and Tommy continues: "He is family. Bring him back Mom."

"Bring who back?" Vision arrives in the picture, on his way back home from work. He looks at the situation and it only takes him a moment to figure out what happened. "Oh, boys. Come here."

He pulls the twins close with his free arm, holding them tightly. Afterward, he gently takes the dog from me while Wanda slowly guides the boys back home, her touch soft and reassuring.

Wanda can't bring beings back from the dead—that much is clear to me now. But I hate that I had to break her heart, and the twins', just to get my answers. I mock myself inwardly. Agatha Harkness, the most evil witch of all time. Famous for her wickedness. And here I am, getting a weak heart in the presence of another witch. This red witch. This Scarlet Wit—no. I stop myself from finishing that thought. That's not who she was just yet.

But I had seen how much confronting death had hurt her. That pain was real, and it cut deep. So it's time I dig deeper, to uncover what really happened to Pietro.

I head to the attic, Señor Scratchy trailing closely behind. As I approach the door, I remove the magical restraints I had placed, allowing me access. When I open it, the original owner of the house is sitting there in the dark, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. Killing a dog apparently took a toll on him—tch, so weak.

I step inside, the darkness thick, except for the glint in my eyes. Ralph stumbles back, his terror feeding me. With a flick of my wrist, glowing purple binds snap around his wrists and ankles, locking him in place. His breaths grow shallow, and I let out a cold chuckle.

"Don't worry," I say, circling him like prey. "This will be over before you know it." I lean in close, my voice a whisper. "Or maybe... not."

I step back and, with a flick of my fingers, send a jolt of magic through the binds, making him flinch, a sharp cry escaping his lips. I smile, watching him squirm. "There's more where that came from, but I don't have time for games." I dangle the enchanted necklace in front of him. "You'll do just fine."

I clasp the necklace around his neck, but before I activate it, I send another pulse of energy through his body, making him tremble in pain. His fear is delicious. "Now, let's see what kind of fun we can have with you under my control."

The moment the necklace touches his skin, his eyes flash purple and his movements freeze. "You are Pietro Maximoff. You have the power of a speedster," I say, my voice dripping with command. "But you will not act as he did. You know you look different, you know she created the hex, and most importantly, you know you're supposed to be dead." I pause, considering for a moment. That should be enough.

I follow Ralph—now Pietro—as he makes his way to Wanda and Vision's house. I cast a disruption spell. She'll still see me if she chooses to look directly at me, but as long as she doesn't, which I highly doubt since her 'brother' will be standing in front of her, she won't notice.

When we arrive, I summon a picnic blanket complete with a basket, something to eat, and a glass of champagne. I sit down, grab the glass, and take a drink, ready to relish what's about to unfold.

As Pietro approaches, I hear raised voices from inside. They're fighting, and it's the perfect moment for me to stir the pot. Of course, he chooses the most inconvenient time to ring the doorbell. I can't help but smirk.

Wanda opens the door and for a moment, she just stands there, stunned, tears in her eyes. "Pietro?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

He gives a casual 'well, duh' tilt of his head, and that's all she needs. Slowly, softly, she steps forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tender embrace. They linger for a moment before quietly stepping inside and closing the door behind them.

With nothing left to see, I decide it's time for me to head home.

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone, but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?